Flu

How can I protect myself from the flu?

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. There are 2 types of vaccines. The flue shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Influenza is a virus and cannot be
treated with antibiotics. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine,
zanamavir and oseltamivir) have been approved for treatment of the flu.
These medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Antiviral treatment
lasts for 5 days and must be started within the first 2 days of illness.

How is the influenza virus passed around? How does flu spread?

Flu
viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people
become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then
touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect
others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after
becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else
before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

A
person can spread the flu starting 1 day before he or she feels sick.
Adults can continue to pass the flu virus to others for another 3 to 7
days after symptoms start. Children can pass the virus for longer than 7
days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. Some
persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During
this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.

How many people get sick or die from the flu every year?

Each
flu season is unique, but it is estimated that approximately 10% to 20%
of U.S. residents get the flu, and an average of 114,000 persons are
hospitalized for flu-related complications. About 36,000 Americans die
on average per year from the complications of flu.

Is it a cold or the flu?

Influenza and a cold are both
respiratory (breathing) system infections caused by viruses. Initial
symptoms of flu and colds are similar, and it can sometimes be difficult
to tell if you have the flu or a very bad cold. The flu can cause more
serious illness than a common cold. Colds and flu are both highly
contagious and, in the initial stages, a bad cold and a mild case of the
flu might seem alike. However, flu is a serious illness that can have
life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. It
is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms
alone. Doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu within 2-3
days of the start of illness. Check the table on the following page for a
comparison of the symptoms for each illness: Influenza & Cold
Symptoms

What are antiviral medications?

Three antiviral drugs
(amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in
preventing the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor
should be consulted before they are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5
days and must be started within the first 2 days of illness.

What are complications of flu?

Complications of flu can include
bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical
conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

What are complications of flu?

Complications of flu can include
bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical
conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

What are good health habits to prevent the flu?

Apart from
vaccination, good health habits and antiviral medications are other
measures that can help protect against the flu. Avoid close contact with
people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others
to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work,
school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others
from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from
getting sick. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a
person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then
touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

What can I do to protect myself against the flu?

Certain people
are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu. This
group includes people age 65 years and older and people of any age with
chronic medical conditions. Pregnant women and children between 6 months
and 23 months of age also are at increased risk from flu complications.
By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot.
You can also decrease your chances of getting sick by frequently washing
your hands and avoiding touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, and
avoiding crowded places. Three antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine,
and oseltamivir) are approved and commercially available for use in
preventing flu. All of these medications are prescription drugs, and a
doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used for preventing the
flu.

Year-round, you can help stop the spread of germs by
practicing “respiratory etiquette” — good health manners — by covering
your nose and mouth every time you sneeze, cough or blow your nose,
putting used tissues in the trash, and washing your hands well and often
whenever you or someone you are close to is sick. Clinics and hospitals
may also give you a face mask to wear in waiting areas and exam rooms
if you have a fever and cough or rash, so be prepared! There are also
ways you can keep from catching someone else’s germs. These include not
sharing things like cigarettes, towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else
that might be contaminated with respiratory germs. You also should not
share food, utensils or beverage containers with others.

What is influenza (also called flu)?

The flu is a contagious
respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to
severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent
this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Every year in
the United States, on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu,
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and
about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older
people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are
at high risk for serious flu complications.

What is the stomach flu?

Many people use the term "stomach flu”
to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These
symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even
parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or “sick to your
stomach” can sometimes be related to the flu — particularly in children
— these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a
respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

What should you do if you get the flu?

Stay home! Rest, drink
plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco, and take medication
to relieve the symptoms of flu. Never give aspirin to children or
teenagers who have flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever – without
first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers
who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye
syndrome. If, however, flu symptoms are unusually severe (for example,
trouble breathing), you should consult your health-care provider right
away. If you are at special risk from complications of flu, you should
consult your health-care provider when your flu symptoms begin. This
includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical
conditions, pregnant women, or children. Your doctor may choose to use
certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.

What type of flu season are we going to have this year?

It is
not possible to accurately predict in advance what type of flu season we
are going to have. Historically, A (H3N2) viruses have been associated
with more-severe flu seasons during which higher numbers of
influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.

When should I get vaccinated?

October or November is the best
time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later
can still be beneficial. Flu season can begin as early as October and
last as late as May.

Where can I get more information about flu vaccinations?

We
will be posting information, as it becomes available, on this website.
You may also call the Cape May County flu hotline at 609-463-6581.
Additionally, the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior
Services has a flu hotline, at 1-866-234-0964. For more resources, visit
this page: Flu Vaccination Information

Where else can I get a flu shot?

Information on Cape May
County’s free flu vaccination programs is posted on the County’s
Department of Health website. You may also call the Cape May County flu
hotline at 463-6581. Additionally, the NJ State Department of Health and
Senior Services has a flu hotline, at 1-866-234-0964. For additional
vaccination program information, visit this page: Vaccination Programs